Voluntary euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke has been suspended by the Medical Board of Australia

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The close friend of a Perth man who committed suicide after communicating with doctor Philip Nitschke says he is not surprised the voluntary euthanasia advocate has been suspended from practising as a medical practitioner.

Kerry O'Neil, who was like a parent to Mr Brayley, said the board's decision highlighted its "need to maintain its standards".

"I'm not surprised, I don't think the Medical Board had any choice," Mr O'Neil said.

"I think the medical profession needs to maintain its standards. I think the general public expect high standards of their medical professionals and I don't think Dr Nitschke, in any way, exhibits those standards.

"But it doesn't help Nigel's death in any way or those closely associated with Nigel."

"It's clear to me that the Medical Board has conducted a trial by media which goes against the rule of law and Australian democracy as we know it," Dr Nitschke said.

"It beggars belief that a government board can act purely because it doesn't agree with the beliefs of its citizens.

"This is a political deregistration brought on by a fundamental difference in beliefs. We will be appealing the decision of the Medical Board and expect the rule of law to correct the factual and legal errors inherent in the board's kneejerk political adjudication."

Mr Brayley died in May this year after taking the euthanasia drug Nembutal, which he illegally imported.

"If the practice of terminating one's life when physically healthy, young, fit and able, is deemed acceptable, many more may see fit to end their lives, perhaps when just experiencing severe psychological distress, from which it is absolutely possible to recover.

"Beyond Blue and many other organisations will argue very strongly against the views still being advocated by Philip Nitschke.

"If Nitschke continues to advocate for the right of able-bodied people to take their lives, many in a moment of fragility might be tempted to do so.

"If Philip Nitschke continues such advocacy, I hope his suspension from medical practice is for life."

He's a maverick who operates alone: Dying with Dignity

Representatives from the Dying with Dignity group say Dr Nitschke does not represent the mainstream medical profession and his work has been counterproductive to their cause.

Dr Rodney Syme, the vice president of Dying with Dignity Victoria, said Dr Nitschke is a maverick who operates alone.

"If the public believes that Philip Nitschke is representative of the mainstream thought and mainstream activity of, of dying with dignity law reform organisations in Australia, in fact that is not true," Dr Syme said.

"Philip Nitschke is, he works alone. He's a maverick. He does not represent the mainstream thought of people who want to change the law.

"He's never put forward any proposals for changing the law, in fact his activities in South Australia and Tasmania, the people who've helped to put legislation forward there would argue that his activities have been counterproductive."

But Dr Syme says the suspension will have little impact on Dr Nitschke's work with voluntary euthanasia organisation, Exit International.

"Providing workshops and operating a website outside the jurisdiction of Australia is not illegal and he can still provide people with the advice that he does and that's not a criminal event it seems," he said.

People seeking support and information about suicide can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.